The Touchstone Foundation is continuing its efforts to expand access to mental health for young people in Lancaster County.
This week, the organization announced that it is increasing the maximum payouts in its Mental Health Access Assistance program to $50 per visit, up from $40.
The assistance helps beneficiaries cover the cost of copays or deductibles for visits to a licensed mental health provider. To apply, click here.
To qualify, individuals must reside in Lancaster County, be under age 25 or the parent of a child or young adult; have health insurance (including insurance obtained through the Pennie marketplace); and have household income of no more than 250% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that works out to $75,000 a year.
More than 70 local agencies and practices participate in Mental Health Access Assistance. In 2023, the program supported more than 1,500 therapy sessions, Touchstone said.
Scholarships
Meanwhile, earlier this month Touchstone announced it is accepting applications for its annual Mental Health Careers scholarship program.
The scholarships, offered in partnership with the Steinman Foundation, support students pursuing mental health careers in disciplines including education, psychology and social work. This year, the awards will be $5,000 per student per year, Touchstone said.
Past scholarship recipients who are pursuing advanced degrees are eligible to reapply, the foundation said.
To apply, click here. The deadline is May 15. For more information, call (717) 397-8722 or email sbowman@touchstonefound.org.
In 2023-24, Touchstone awarded nine scholarships totaling $36,825. The assistance helps bolster the talent pipeline and build the local mental health workforce, Touchstone said.
